§ 19. Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that consignments of Danish bacon are still taking as much as ten days to reach London and six days further to reach points as near as Portsmouth; that bacon delivered at Birmingham and Wales is being continually refused on account of its arriving in bad condition; that a consignment which arrived at Portsmouth on the 19th ult. was inspected by the sanitary inspector and condemned as unfit for human food; and will he say what steps he proposes to take to accelerate delivery so that this food shall be available for human consumption in the future?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. G. Roberts)I do not think that I can usefully add to the reply given to the hon. Gentleman on Wednesday last by the lion. Member for the Oswestry Division, except to say that so far as delay on the railways may be concerned the Board of Trade are in communication with the Bail way Executive Committee.
§ Mr. PETOIs it not a fact that all the questions relating to this matter have been referred to the Food Controller's Department? Is it possible for the Food Controller to control the distribution of food if the Railway Executive do not see it delivered in a condition fit for human consumption?
§ Mr. ROBERTSWe are in communication both with the Food Controller's Department and the Railway Executive on the matter with a view to expediting delivery.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWhen this or any other bacon arrives is there no possibility of having it put in cold storage for a time instead of having it destroyed as it is being?
§ Mr. ROBERTSThe matter is before the Food Controller.